Thunder puts a stop to Rangers' winning streak

By
CAMERON WHITELEY

IN TERMS of ladder positions, the North West Thunder had little to play for and Dandenong everything, but on Saturday night it was the Thunder that played like its life depended on it.

IN TERMS of ladder positions, the North West Thunder had little to play for and Dandenong everything, but on Saturday night it was the Thunder that played like its life depended on it.

ON THE CHARGE: Thunder’s B.J. Jenkins goes to the basket under pressure from the Rangers’ Brett Hobba in Saturday night’s clash. Picture: Stuart Wilson.

The Thunder was already assured a top-two South Conference finish, but it snapped the Rangers’ 13-match winning streak in emphatic style, winning 93-71 to provide Nick Haywood a perfect present in his 350th SEABL game.

It was also Lucas Simpson’s last game for the Tall Timbers Thunder before he returns to America, and the script for celebration was followed perfectly.

It took only five seconds from the first tip-off for Haywood to score in his milestone match, and the Thunder led narrowly at quarter-time.

A dominant second period culminating in a Nathan Wilson buzzer-beater had the home side out by 13 at the half, but the Rangers came storming back.

Two triples from Lucas Barker (5-7 three-pointers for the night) saw Dandenong claw the margin back to just four by the last break, and a thrilling finish loomed.

But just as quickly as the Dandenong offence fired up, it dried up, with the Rangers scoring just seven points in the final quarter.

A dunk and trademark celebration from the flamboyant Tyrone Lee with two minutes left had the Thunder out by a match-winning 15points.

Smooth-shooting import guard B.J. Jenkins led the Thunder with 25 points and Lee had 17points and 13 rebounds in a typically energetic performance.

Wilson, who was under an injury cloud coming into the game, hit crucial shots in his haul of 16, while Mason Bragg and Haywood, who played in a starting role, poured in 10 each.

Dandenong, with top spot on the line, was disappointing, with only Barker (15 points) and Tony Lewis (23) winners on the night.

The countdown is now on to the Thunder’s finals campaign, which starts at Mount Gambier on August 22.

First, it has a date with the Frankston Blues at Ulverstone on Saturday, with coach Phil Thomas saying momentum is crucial.

‘‘Every game we play now is linked to our finals series, and we need to make sure we play well in every quarter of every game,’’ he said.

‘‘Tonight’s game was important because we needed to find a rhythm and some good form, and it’s the same next week against Frankston.’’